Safety luer connection

ABSTRACT

A connection device has a male connector and a female connector. The female connector will only accommodate the dedicated male connector, thereby prohibiting a misconnection with the wrong male connector. In certain embodiments, a member prohibits male connectors, other than a dedicated male connector, from being inserted into the female connector. In certain other embodiments, a post prohibits male connectors, other than a dedicated male connector including a slot, from being inserted into the female connector. In still certain other embodiments, a series of prongs in the male connector and corresponding grooves in the female connector ensure the proper connection. Once the male connector is inserted and secured within the female connector, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the male connector and the female connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/287,043, filed Nov. 1, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/765,894, filed Jun. 20, 2007, and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,070,189, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate to a medical connection device, andmore particularly, to a male and female connection device, which can beused in conjunction with fluid administration, such as intravenous fluidadministration.

BACKGROUND

Luer connections are the typical mechanisms for attaching variousmedical devices such as syringes, catheters, and intravenous lines toone another. These lines are then generally connected to a patient via acatheter. In a typical luer connection, male and female connectors aremated together to form and secure the connection. Luer connections arewidely used in the medical industry because they are quick and easy toassemble.

However, with this ease of use comes a high risk of error. For example,in high risk connections, such as epidural lines, the connection of anincorrect line can have serious consequences, including death, for thepatient. There is a high risk of accidentally connecting the wrong linesbecause standard luer connectors are used for both intravenous fluid andepidural infusions. Also, additional lines are commonly found nearbedsides of patients seeking medical care for a variety of ailments.Thus, a male connector intended for use with an intravenous line couldbe easily confused for one intended for use with an epidural line. Thisconfusion can lead to a misconnection, resulting in medication or airerroneously being delivered into an unintended site, leading to seriouscomplications.

Currently, precautions for misconnections include double-checking theconnection prior to connecting the luers. Alternatively, the differentconnectors and their attached lines may be specially labeled. Labelingmay be accomplished by placing colored tape on the tubing, or placing acolor-coded marker on the connectors themselves.

While these precautionary measures attempt to solve the problems ofmisconnections, all of these precautions require an active, mitigatingstep. This can be problematic and impractical for nurses and doctors whoare often working in emergency situations and do not have the luxury ofperforming time-consuming cautionary steps.

Thus, there is a need for a safety luer connection, in which there isminimal or no risk of misconnecting male and female luers, and in whichno additional steps are required by hospital personnel to avoidmisconnections.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by the disclosed embodiments whichprovide a connection device comprising a male connector, which includesa body with a distal end and a proximal end, and a projection. Theprojection has an opening located at a distal end of the projection. Theopening is in fluid communication with a fluid passageway located withinthe body. The projection has a length L1. The connection device furthercomprises a female connector, comprising a body, a distal end, and aproximal end. A fluid passageway is located within the body. The femaleconnector includes a member perpendicular to the fluid passageway withinthe body and positioned a length L2 from the proximal end of the femaleconnector and blocking insertion of the projection past the member. Thelength L1 is approximately equal to L2, such that only a male connectorwith a projection having the length L1 is fully insertable into thefemale connector. This will prevent the insertion of typical maleconnectors.

Other needs are met by disclosed embodiments which provide a connectiondevice comprising a male connector including a projection with a slot.The connection device also includes a female connector comprising a postperpendicular to the fluid passageway within the body. The post isconfigured to engage the corresponding slot of the projection duringinsertion of the male connector into the female connector and blockinsertion of a projection of a male connector without a slot into thefemale connector.

The earlier stated needs and others are met by still other disclosedembodiments which provide a connection device comprising a maleconnector, which includes a body with at least one prong. The maleconnector further includes a tubing pocking with standoffs. Thestandoffs are configured to permit fluid to flow through a peripherypath of the tubing pocket. The male connector also includes at least oneattachment piece. The connection device also comprises a femaleconnector, including a body with at least one groove. The groovecorresponds to the prong of the male connector, and aligns the maleconnector upon its insertion into the female connector. The femaleconnector includes a ridge, which cooperates with the attachment pieceof the male connector to secure the male connector within the femaleconnector. The female connector further includes a tubing pocket withstandoffs.

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of thedisclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector and femaleconnector of one embodiment of the connection device, in an unconnectedstate;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector and femaleconnector of the connection device of FIG. 1, in a connected state;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector of theconnection device of FIG. 1 and a typical male luer;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector and femaleconnector of another embodiment of the connection device, in anunconnected state;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector and femaleconnector of the connection device of FIG. 4, in a partially connectedstate;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector and femaleconnector of the connection device of FIG. 4, in a connected state;

FIG. 7 is a close-up partial-perspective view of the slot and post ofthe connection device of FIG. 4, in a partially connected state;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the male connector of another embodimentof the connection device;

FIG. 9 is a side view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the female connector of the connectiondevice of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the male and female connectors ofFIGS. 8 and 11, in a connected state;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the male connector of anotherembodiment of the connection device;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the female connector of the connectiondevice of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the male and female connectors ofFIGS. 14 and 15, in a connected state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is contemplated that the subject matter described herein may beembodied in many forms. Accordingly, the embodiments described in detailbelow are the presently preferred embodiments, and are not to beconsidered as limitations.

The disclosed embodiments address problems related to the misconnectionof male and female luer connection devices and the dire consequencesmisconnections may cause in time critical situations. The disclosedembodiments solve these problems, at least in part, by providing aconnection device comprising a male connector, which includes a bodywith a distal end and a proximal end, and a projection from the bodyhaving an opening located at a distal end of the projection. The openingis in fluid communication with a fluid passageway located within thebody. The projection has a length L1. The connection device furthercomprises a female connector comprising a body with a distal end and aproximal end, a fluid passageway located within the body, and a memberperpendicular to the fluid passageway within the body. The member ispositioned a length L2 from the proximal end of the female connector andblocks insertion of the projection past the member, with L1approximately equal to L2, such that only a male connector with aprojection having the length L1 is fully insertable into the femaleconnector. This will prevent the insertion of typical male connectors.

The problems are also addressed by disclosed embodiments which provide aconnection device comprising a male connector including a projectionwith a slot. The connection device also includes a female connectorcomprising a post perpendicular to the fluid passageway within the body.The post is configured to engage the corresponding slot of theprojection during insertion of the male connector into the femaleconnector and block insertion of a projection of a male connectorwithout a slot into the female connector a connection device comprisinga male connector including a slot. The connection device also includes afemale connector comprising a post. The post is configured to engage thecorresponding slot of the male connector. The post is located so as toonly allow full insertion of the dedicated male connector into thefemale connector.

Other disclosed embodiments provide a connection device comprising amale connector, which includes a body with at least one prong. The maleconnector further includes a tubing pocking with standoffs. Thestandoffs are configured to permit fluid to flow through a peripherypath of the tubing pocket. The male connector also includes at least oneattachment piece. The connection device also comprises a femaleconnector, including a body with at least one groove. The groovecorresponds to the prong of the male connector, and aligns the maleconnector upon its insertion into the female connector. The femaleconnector includes a ridge, which cooperates with the attachment pieceof the male connector to secure the male connector within the femaleconnector. The female connector further includes a tubing pocket withstandoffs.

FIG. 1 shows a connection device 10. The device comprises a maleconnector 12, that includes a body 14. The body 14 has a distal end 16and a proximal end 18. It should be noted that “distal” refers to thedirection toward the patient. “Proximal” refers to the direction awayfrom the patient, or toward the syringe or other collection ordispensing device, such as an intravenous (IV) bag. The male connector12 has a generally cup-shaped design, as seen in FIG. 1, with a recess21 configured to mate with a female connector. A projection 19 extendswithin the recess 21 towards the distal end 16 of the body 14. Theprojection 19 is received within a mating portion of a female connector,as will be further described. The projection 19 includes an opening 20in fluid communication with a fluid passageway 22. Thus, fluid may flowunobstructed through the fluid passageway 22 and out of the opening 20.

The male connector 12 is configured to mate securely with the femaleconnector 26 depicted in FIG. 1, with other male connectors not beingable to be securely mated. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection device 10further comprises a female connector 26. The female connector 26includes a body 28. The body 28 has a distal end 30 and a proximal end32. A fluid passageway 34 is located within the body 28. The maleconnector 12 of FIG. 1 may be inserted into the female connector 26 suchthat the fluid passageways 22, 34 are aligned with one another. Thefluid passageways 22, 34 are sized to accommodate typical sizedintravenous tubing. However, other types of male connectors will not beable to be fully inserted into the female connector 26.

The female connector 26 includes a member 36. The member 36 is fixedlypositioned perpendicular to the fluid passageway 34 of the femaleconnector 26. The member 36 is shallowly located, such that it is notimmediately proximate to the distal end 30 of the female connector 26.The member 36 is positioned within the fluid passageway 34 so that onlythe dedicated male connector 12 may be fully inserted into the femaleconnector 26, as shown in FIG. 2. The length L1 of the projection 19 issubstantially equal to the length L2 between the proximal opening 23 ofthe female connector 26 and the member 36. Typical male connectorsinclude projections that are longer, such that the projections extend tothe distal end of the male connector.

FIG. 3 shows an attempt to insert a typical male luer into the femaleconnector 26. If an incorrect male connector is inserted into the femaleconnector 26, the member 36 will prevent the connectors 12, 26 fromproperly mating. By contrast, with the connection made in FIG. 2employing the dedicated male connector 12 and female connector 26, afluid-tight seal may be formed once the male and female connectors 12,26 are secured. The member 36 ensures an incorrect male connector cannotbe fully inserted, which could be a potentially fatal situation for thepatient.

In certain embodiments, the male connector 12 includes a threadedlocking hub 42 and the body 28 of the female connector 26 is alsothreaded. Hence, the locking hub 42 may be screwed onto and around thefemale connector body 26, securing the male and female connectors 12,26.

As discussed above, the member 36 of the female connector 26 prohibitsinsertion of an incorrect male connector 12. In addition, the femaleconnector 26 is visually devoid of the typical locking tabs that arefound on typical female connectors. This should be an additionalindication that the female connector 26 disclosed is not to be used withtypical male luers.

In certain other embodiments, as shown by FIGS. 4-7, the male connector12 includes a slot 38. The slot 38 may be rotatably cut-out around theexterior of the body 14 of the male connector 12. As shown in FIGS. 4-7,the female connector 26 includes a post 40, which may be cylindricallyshaped, or may assume other shapes configured to interact with the slot.The post 40 is configured to engage the slot 38 of the male connector12, upon insertion of the male connector 12 into the female connector26.

As shown by FIGS. 5-7, as the male connector 12 is inserted into thefemale connector 26, the post 40 engages the end of the slot 38. Thepost 40 is shallowly located on the female connector 26. The location ofthe post 40 prevents full insertion and engagement of a typical maleluer. The location of the post 40 is such that it engages the slot 38when the male connector 12 is only partially inserted, shown by FIG. 5.The male connector 12 is then rotated as it is fully inserted into thefemale connector 26, such that the post 40 travels up and further intothe slot 38, shown in direction A in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIGS. 8-10 show a connection device 10 comprising the male connector 12,in which the body 14 has at least one prong 44. As shown in FIG. 8, themale connector 12 includes a tubing pocket 46 with standoffs 48. Thestandoffs 48 are configured to permit fluid passing through the maleconnector 12 to flow through a periphery path 50 of the tubing pocket46. Thus, the fluid will take a more direct path through the maleconnector 12. The male connector 12 further includes at least oneattachment piece 52. The attachment piece 52 may be a snapping piece 52of a snap-fit connection.

The connection device 10 further includes the female connector 26, shownin FIGS. 11-12, in which the female connector 26 includes at least onegroove 54 (FIG. 12). The groove 54 is formed between a plurality of ribs66 located within the female connector 26. The groove 54 corresponds tothe prong 44 of the male connector 12. Upon insertion of the maleconnector 12 into the female connector 26, the groove 54 and prong 44matingly engage, aligning the male connector 12 within the femaleconnector 26, shown in FIG. 13. The groove 54 is tapered so that theprong 44 will align easier with the groove 54. The male connector 12 maybe rotated until the prong 44 engages the groove 54. While only oneprong 44 may be present, it is contemplated that the male connector 12comprises a plurality of prongs 44 that engage a plurality ofcorresponding grooves 54. The presence of the prong 44 and groove 54prevents the connection device 10 from being compatible with typical ISOmale and female luer connectors. Thus, the connection device ensuresthat an incorrect connector, and line, will not be attached to apatient.

The female connector 26 also includes a ridge 56, shown in FIGS. 11 and12. The ridge 56 cooperates with the snapping piece 52 of the maleconnector 12, seen in FIG. 8. Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, to secure themale and female connectors 12, 26, the snapping piece 52 snaps onto theridge 56. This secures the connectors 12, 26 together and may form afluid-tight seal. The bodies 14, 28 of the male and female connectors12, 26 are generally cylindrically shaped such that they may easily bemated. However, the bodies 14, 28 may be shaped in other geometries aswell.

As shown in FIG. 12, the female connector 26 further includes a tubingpocket 58 with standoffs 60. The tubing pockets 46, 58 are sized toreceive typical sized intravenous tubing. The standoffs 48, 60 preventthe tubing within the tubing pockets 46, 58 from forming a seal at thebase of the tubing pocket. This would prevent flow of the fluid throughthe connection device 10 and to the patient or fluid receptacle.

The male connector 12 may also include at least one wing 62, and thebody 14 may have a notch 64. The wing 62 is shaped to extend outwardlyfrom the body 14, as seen in FIGS. 8-10. The notch 64 provides forindependent flexibility of the wing 62. Compressing the wing 62disengages the snapping piece 52 of the male connector 12. The notch 64allows the wing 62 to flex open and away from the body 14 of the maleconnector 12. This allows for removal of the male connector 12 from thefemale connector 26. It is contemplated that a plurality of wings 62 maybe included on the male connector 12.

The attachment piece 52 of the male connector 12 may be threaded, andthe ridge 56 of the female connector 26 may be threaded. Thus, to securethe male and female connectors 12, 26, the male connector 12 may bescrewed onto the female connector 26.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 14-16, the prong 44 of the maleconnector 12 may be circumferential. The prong 44, shown in FIG. 16, maybe hollow inside its circumference such that it may still engage thegroove 54 of the female connector 26. The groove 54, shown in FIG. 15,of the female connector 26 may then also be circumferential in shape sothat it may receive the prong 44 of the male connector 12. Additionally,as shown in FIGS. 14-15, the attachment piece 52 of the male connector12 may be threaded, and the ridge 56 of the female connector 26 may bethreaded. Thus, to secure the male and female connectors 12, 26, themale connector 12 may be screwed onto the female connector 26, as shownin FIG. 16.

In sum, a connection device having a male connector and a femaleconnector is provided. The female connector will only accommodate thededicated male connector, thereby prohibiting a misconnection with thewrong male connector. In certain embodiments, a member prohibits maleconnectors other than a dedicated male connector from being fullyinserted into the female connector. In certain other embodiments, a postprohibits male luers, other than a dedicated male connector including aslot, from being fully inserted into the female connector. In yetcertain other embodiments, a series of prongs in the male connector andcorresponding grooves in the female connector ensure the properconnection. Once the male connector is inserted and secured within thefemale connector, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the maleconnector and the female connector. The disclosed embodiments thereforeprevent the misconnection of male and female luer connectors withoutrequiring medical personnel to take additional precautionary steps.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been described and illustratedin detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way ofillustration and example only and is not to be taken by way oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection device comprising: a male connectorcomprising a body, a distal end, and a proximal end, a projection withan opening located at the distal end of the body, the opening in fluidcommunication with a fluid passageway located within the body, theprojection having a slot; and a female connector comprising a body, adistal end, and a proximal end, a fluid passageway located within thebody, the female connector further comprising a post perpendicular tothe fluid passageway within the body of the female connector, the postengaging the slot of the projection during insertion of the maleconnector into the female connector.
 2. The connection device of claim1, wherein the body of the male connector comprises a threaded lockinghub.
 3. The connection device of claim 1, wherein the projectioncomprises a frustoconical external surface.
 4. The connection device ofclaim 3, wherein the body of the female connector comprises a conicalinner surface configured to sealingly mate with the frustoconicalexternal surface of the male connector.
 5. The connection device ofclaim 1, wherein the slot is positioned on an external surface of theprojection, and intermediate to a proximal end and a distal end, of theprojection.
 6. The connection device of claim 5, wherein, in a firstposition, the body of the male connector is partially inserted into thebody of the female connector such that the post is positioned in a firstend portion of the slot, and in a second position, the body of the maleand female connectors are rotated relative to each other such that thebody of the male connector is further inserted into the body of thefemale connector, and the post is positioned in a second end portion ofthe slot.
 7. The connection device of claim 1, wherein the slot of themale connector is a spiral cut-out around an exterior surface of theprojection of the male connector.
 8. The connection device of claim 7,wherein the spiral cut-out is configured such that as the male connectoris inserted into the female connector, the male connector is rotatedsuch that the post of the female connector moves up the slot.
 9. Theconnection device of claim 1, wherein the post of the female connectoris cylindrically shaped, such that the post engages the slot.
 10. Theconnection device of claim 1, wherein the post of the female connectoris positioned within the fluid passageway such that the post engages theslot of the male connector upon partial insertion of the male connectorinto the female connector.
 11. The connection device of claim 1, whereinthe male and female connectors are Luer-type connectors.
 12. Aconnection device comprising: a male body having a first end and asecond end, a cavity extending from the second end into the male body,and a projection extending from the male body within the cavity, theprojection comprising an outer surface having a slot, wherein a fluidpassage of the male body extends through the projection; and a femalebody having a first end and a second end, a cavity extending from thesecond end into the female body, and a post extending from the femalebody radially inward into the cavity, wherein a fluid passage of thefemale body comprises the cavity; wherein the post is configured toextend into the slot to permit advancement of the projection into thecavity of the female body.
 13. The connection device of claim 12,wherein a post longitudinal axis is transverse to a fluid passagelongitudinal axis of the female body.
 14. The connection device of claim12, wherein the projection comprises an outer surface that tapers towardthe second end, and the cavity of the female body comprises an innersurface that tapers toward the first end.
 15. The connection device ofclaim 12, wherein the projection comprises a frustoconical externalsurface.
 16. The connection device of claim 12, wherein the slot ispositioned on an external surface of the projection such that a lengthof the slot is intermediate to a proximal end and a distal end of theprojection.
 17. The connection device of claim 16, wherein, in a firstposition, the male body is partially inserted into the female body suchthat the post is positioned in a first end portion of the slot, and in asecond position, the male and female bodies are rotated relative to eachother such that the male body is further inserted into the female body,and the post is positioned in a second end portion of the slot.
 18. Theconnection device of claim 12, wherein the slot is a spiral cut-out thatextends around the projection.
 19. The connection device of claim 18,wherein the rotational cut-out is configured such that as the male bodyis inserted into the female body, the male body is rotated and the postadvances along the slot.
 20. The connection device of claim 12, whereinthe post is positioned within the fluid passage of the female body suchthat the post engages the slot upon partial insertion of the male bodyinto the female body.